Kisspeptin

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
Kisspeptin is used for research on the reproductive hormones behind reproductive maturation and egg and sperm production. Human trials have tested it to ripen eggs before IVF (lab fertilization). It has also been studied in puberty research.
How it works
A natural signaling peptide made in the brain; its short 10-amino-acid form, kisspeptin-10, is the research version. Given by injection under the skin or by drip into a vein. It signals the hypothalamus, a brain control center, to release GnRH, which tells the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, the hormones that drive reproductive hormone and egg and sperm production.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

Kisspeptin (also known as Kisspeptin-10 or KP-10 or Kisspeptin-54 or Metastin) is a peptide studied for its effects on reproductive health. Kisspeptin is a hypothalamic peptide that triggers GnRH release and LH and FSH secretion; kisspeptin-10 is the research form. Prohibited by WADA.

Kisspeptins are proteins encoded by the KISS1 gene in humans. Kisspeptins are ligands of the G-protein coupled receptor, GPR54. Kisspeptin-10 (KP-10), the 10-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of the longer kisspeptin-54, is the form sold as a research peptide.

Natty status
Kisspeptin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

Kiss1 was originally identified as a human metastasis suppressor gene that has the ability to suppress melanoma and breast cancer metastasis.

Kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling has an important role in initiating secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at puberty, the extent of which is an area of ongoing research.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is released from the hypothalamus to act on the anterior pituitary triggering the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

These gonadotropic hormones lead to reproductive maturation and gametogenesis.

Disrupting GPR54 signaling can cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in rodents and humans.

The Kiss1 gene is located on chromosome 1.

It is transcribed in the brain, adrenal gland, liver, gonads, and pancreas.

Kisspeptin and its agonist analogues, including kisspeptin-10, are named under category S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics) as testosterone-stimulating peptides, so they are prohibited by WADA at all times for male athletes.

Mechanism of action

Signals the hypothalamus to release GnRH. This drives pituitary secretion of LH and FSH, the hormones behind reproductive maturation and egg and sperm production. Studied in puberty research.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Kisspeptin acts through the hypothalamus to stimulate gonadotrophin-releasing hormone secretion and downstream gonadotrophin release. [3][4] Preclinical
  • Kisspeptin induced a more physiological degree of oocyte maturation during in vitro fertilisation treatment, which could reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome seen with human chorionic gonadotrophin. [3][4] Anecdotal
  • Kisspeptin receptor agonists have been proposed as a potential treatment for functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. [2][3] Anecdotal
  • Chronic kisspeptin use has been proposed as a potential treatment for low libido disorder in otherwise healthy men. [3] Anecdotal
  • Kisspeptin-GnRH dysregulation during puberty has been examined as an early neuroendocrine signature of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly PCOS) risk and evaluated as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. [1] Anecdotal
  • Kisspeptin has been proposed as a potential treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. [3] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

No FDA

  • or EMA-approved dose; dosing exists only in clinical research protocols

Kisspeptin

  • 54: single subcutaneous injection dosed by body weight (nmol/kg) in IVF egg-maturation trials
  • 10: intravenous bolus or continuous infusion in short-term human hormone studies
  • 10 clears from the blood within minutes, so longer hormone studies give it as a continuous infusion

Continuous long

  • term exposure can desensitize the receptor and blunt the hormone response

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

Kisspeptin is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[5] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

5 active clinical trials on record — highest phase: Phase 2. 36 registered in total , of which 23 completed — highest phase ever: Phase 3
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 24, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 6 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

HCG Not natty
Mimics luteinizing hormone to make the testes produce testosterone and to trigger final egg maturation and ovulation. FDA-approved for fertility and hypogonadism. Not effective for weight loss.
Bremelanotide Natty
FDA-approved (as Vyleesi) for low libido in premenopausal women. Activates central melanocortin receptors to drive arousal. Shows preclinical promise for erectile dysfunction. Given by subcutaneous injection.
AOD-9604 Not natty
Growth hormone fragment designed to promote fat breakdown without effects on growth, blood sugar, or IGF-1. A 24-week obesity trial found no significant weight loss over placebo.
Delta-sleep-inducing peptide Not natty
A neuropeptide named for inducing delta EEG sleep activity in animals, though its own link to human sleep is weak and poorly characterized. Shows preclinical antiepileptic activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kisspeptin?

Kisspeptin is a hypothalamic peptide that triggers GnRH release and LH and FSH secretion; kisspeptin-10 is the research form. Prohibited by WADA.

What is Kisspeptin used for?

Kisspeptin is used for research on the reproductive hormones behind reproductive maturation and egg and sperm production. Human trials have tested it to ripen eggs before IVF (lab fertilization). It has also been studied in puberty research.

How does Kisspeptin work?

A natural signaling peptide made in the brain; its short 10-amino-acid form, kisspeptin-10, is the research version. Given by injection under the skin or by drip into a vein. It signals the hypothalamus, a brain control center, to release GnRH, which tells the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, the hormones that drive reproductive hormone and egg and sperm production.

Is Kisspeptin natty?

No. Kisspeptin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is Kisspeptin banned by WADA?

Yes. Kisspeptin is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is Kisspeptin administered?

Kisspeptin is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection, intravenous infusion. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. ^ Early neuroendocrine signatures of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome risk: Pubertal programming, social brain signals, and novel therapeutic targets. Recent review
  2. ^ Stress, kisspeptin, and functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Recent review
  3. a b c d e Novel therapeutic avenues for kisspeptin. Recent review
  4. a b Kisspeptin and neurokinin B: roles in reproductive health. Recent review
  5. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Reproductive health | Injectable | Subcutaneous

This page was last updated on October 24, 2026, at 02:57 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 24, 2026.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.